Page 39 of Dating and Other Theories
She shrugged. “It’s not like love’s even real.”
“Sure it is.”
“No, gravity’s real. The laws of thermodynamics are real. You know how I know? Because I can measure them. I can make reliable predictions about how objects will behave under their influence. You can’t do that with love. It’s just a feeling. A temporary delusion caused by rising cortisol levels and depleted serotonin.”
“You say that like feelings don’t matter.”
“Maybe they shouldn’t matter as much as they do.”
“Now you’re talking crazy.”
“I just think maybe I was meant to be alone.” She stared down at the sidewalk. “I’d rather be by myself or with my friends than with any guy I’ve ever dated, so why bother dating?”
Jonathan stubbed out his cigarette and flicked the butt over onto his balcony. “Maybe the problem isn’t you, it’s the kind of men you date.”
She looked at him sharply. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He shrugged. “I just think you shouldn’t be dating anyone you don’t want to be friends with. If you’re looking for a real partner, there’s got to be more than just sexual attraction there. You should be looking for someone you actually enjoy spending time with. Ideally, you’re looking for a best friend. That’s the goal, isn’t it? To marry your best friend.”
“Wow,” she said.
He glanced her way. “What?”
“That is shockingly sentimental, coming from the guy who wrote a love story where two people totally fail to fall in love.”
His mouth twitched, but he looked more amused than irritated. “Thanks a lot.”
“Come on.” She tugged at his sleeve. “Smoke break’s over. Let’s go channel some of that squishy romantic center you’ve been hiding into that script of yours.”
He followed her back inside, and they worked for another few hours, going over the rest of Esther’s notes and talking them through. By the time he finally packed up and went home, Esther had convinced him to make some major overhauls. He took it pretty well, considering how much work it was going to take to implement the changes. Instead of being pissed or disheartened, he seemed downright cheerful.
On his way out the door, he paused on the threshold, clutching his laptop and the copy of her notes she’d given him. “Thank you.” He met her eyes and smiled. Not the half-assed mouth twitch that usually passed for a smile either, but a real smile. Soft and genuine and a little shy. “It sounds hyperbolic, but I think you may have saved my life.”
Esther felt her cheeks warm as she smiled back at him. “You’re welcome.”
Maybe she wasn’t so bad at this critiquing stuff after all.
Chapter Eleven
“Do you think I have bad taste in men?” Esther asked Jinny at lunch on Monday. It was taco salad day, and the cafeteria was more crowded than usual. Everybody liked taco salad day, and unlike lasagna, they never seemed to run out.
Jinny’s eyes narrowed over her tostada bowl. “Is this a trick question? It feels like a trick.”
“It’s not a trick. It’s a regular question.”
It was just the two of them today, because Yemi was on a conference call. Esther had promised to bring him back a taco salad.
Jinny was still suspicious. “Why don’t you tell me what you want to hear, and then I’ll decide if I agree or not.”
“I’m not looking for validation,” Esther told her. “I want to know what you really think.” She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about what Jonathan had said. About how her problem was the kind of men she dated.
Jinny pursed her lips. They were a matte pinkish orange today. Esther couldn’t think of a single other person who’d look good in that particular color, but on Jinny it was perfect. “I think…” She paused, carefully considering her words. “I think you gravitate toward men you’re in no danger of getting serious about.”
“That’s not true!”
“I knew it was a trick.” Jinny shook her head as she stabbed a chunk of chicken fajita with her fork.
“Sorry,” Esther said. “Tell me why you think that. I’m listening.” She made a zipping motion across her lips.
